The University of California, Berkeley College of Letters and Science has completed its summer reading project, the On the Same Page program, in which first-year students were asked to read The Omnivore's Dilemma , written by UC Berkeley Professor Michael Pollan. Each year, the program selects a work or works by a leading thinker or artist for incoming students to read and reflect on, and for L&S faculty to teach to in seminars as well as their regular courses.

The University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium has been awarded LEED Silver certification. Green design features of the 50,805-seat football facility include a storm water management system that allows rain water to be captured into an underground filtering system outside the stadium where it is harvested, filtered, and drained into the Mississippi River; 90 percent recycled steel; a reflective roof to reduce heat island effect; and low VOC paint, carpet, sealants, and adhesives. Construction of the stadium began in July 2007 and was completed July 2009.

The University of Mississippi is partnering with SmartSynch Inc., a smart grid infrastructure company, to set up smart meters in campus buildings that will track power usage in real time. The University plans to publish the real-time results for the general public on Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds. UM to identify a detailed pattern of electricity usage at its buildings and, using the smart meter data, determine methods to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. The program is part of the University's "Red, Blue and Green" campaign.

The University of Oregon has completed its first green orientation program, Project Tomato. The program enabled ten first-year students to embark on a four-day trip exploring UO dining services and its connections to local agriculture. The students biked to and camped at local farms, worked with farm staff to harvest about 1,000 pounds of tomatoes, and made pizza sauce to use in the dining hall. Participants also learned about permaculture, agriculture that relies on renewable resources and a self-sustaining eco-system. Project Tomato is managed by the OU Office of Sustainability.

University of Texas Athletics has begun an initiative to participate in the City of Austin's effort to conserve water. The department has chosen to only water athletic fields twice a week, and the new artificial football field has reduced water usage by 80 percent. UT has also turned off several landmark water fountains across campus.

The University of Wyoming has received a total of $2 million in federal stimulus funds through the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. The seven grants will fund research in climate change, astronomy, geology, insect cells, and neuroscience. The largest of the grants, $586,581, went to the Department of Atmospheric Science to research aspects of climate change.

West Virginia University’s Oglebay Hall has received LEED certification. The building, which was built in 1917, underwent a five-year renovation that included the installation of water-saving fixtures, a synthetic slate roof made of recycled rubber, and a more sustainable heating and cooling units. The structure, which now incorporates greater use of natural daylighting, reopened in 2007.

59 signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on August 10, 2009. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. New inventories were submitted by: Adams State College (CO); Aquinas College (MI); Austin College (TX); Brandeis University (MA); Central Connecticut State University; Chabot College (CA); Chatham University (PA); Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (OH); Coastline Community College (CA); Colorado State University; Columbus State Community College (OH); DePauw University (IN); Drury University (MO); Emory & Henry College (VA); Georgian Court University (NJ); Golden West College (CA); Goshen College (IN); Green Mountain College (VT); Iowa Lakes Community College; James Madison University (VA); Kent State University. Stark (OH); Lansing Community College (MI); Las Positas College (CA); Linfield College (OR); McLennan Community College (TX); Metropolitan State University (MN); Montgomery County Community College (PA); Nassau Community College (NY); New Mexico State University; North Shore Community College (MA); Orange Coast College (CA); Pomona College (CA); Pratt Institute (NY); Prescott College (AZ); Rhodes College (TN); Seattle University (WA); Simpson College (IA); South Suburban College (IL); State University of New York at Binghamton; Texas Christian University; The New School (NY); Trinity College (CT); Truckee Meadows Community College (NV); University of California, Santa Barbara; University of Florida; University of Houston - Downtown (TX); University of Louisville (KY) ; University of Maine at Augusta; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of New Hampshire; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of South Carolina, Columbia; University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie; University of South Carolina, Union; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; University of Vermont; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Wisconsin-Stout; and Utah State University. In related news, the College of William & Mary has also published a greenhouse gas inventory.

AASHE has announced the winners of its annual Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards, Student Sustainability Leadership Award, and Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award. The Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards recognize institutions that have demonstrated an outstanding overall commitment to sustainability in their education and research, campus operations, and administration and finance. The 2009 winners are: New York University, University of New Hampshire, Furman University (SC), and Butte College (CA). The Student Sustainability Leadership Award, given to Missy! Orr of Depauw University (IN), honors an undergraduate from an AASHE member institution who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting campus sustainability. The Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award recognizes outstanding student research that advances the field of campus sustainability. This year's award was given to a team of graduate students from Stanford University (CA) for their paper, "EVs with PVs: Analysis of Electric Vehicle Integration at Stanford University Using Solar PV Panels.

AASHE has launched its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) 1.0 Early Release. All colleges and universities are able to register for STARS 1.0 as Charter Participants. The STARS 1.0 Technical Manual is available online and registrants are encouraged to begin collecting documentation required for each credit. The STARS online reporting tool will be available in January and campuses may begin uploading their data at that time. Institutions that register before December 31, 2009, will receive a discount. Discounts are also available to AASHE members.

Governor Mike Beebe has announced that two- and four-year higher education institutions across Arkansas will receive a total of $42.5 million from the federal stimulus package. The money is slated to be used for renovation, energy-efficiency improvement, and expansion of facilities.

Bowdoin College (ME) has announced that it composted 100 percent of the trash and food waste at its annual lobster bake that follows Convocation. More than 1,800 guests were served approximately 1,256 lobsters, 78 gallons of Maine fish chowder, and 1,280 ears of corn on the cob. Bowdoin used compostable paper and biodegradable plastic products, eliminated plastic lobster bibs, offered bulk beverages to eliminate bottles, and eliminated individual packages of condiments. Dining staff manned each trash barrel location to make sure material would not be contaminated with non-compostable waste.

Butte College (CA) has received a Green Power Leadership Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for on-site generation of renewable energy. Butte was the only education institution recognized by the EPA. The College produces 39 percent of its electricity needs through solar arrays. Butte's current solar-power capacity includes 1.916 MW.

Dickinson College (PA) has partnered with Zipcar to make cars available to students and employees ages 18 and older. Two hybrids will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Gas, insurance, 180 free miles daily, and reserved parking will be included in the hourly and daily rates. Faculty, staff, and students can join Zipcar for $35 and can drive for as little as $8 an hour or $66 a day on weekdays and $9 an hour or $72 a day on weekends. Students also get $35 in free driving credit, valid for up to 30 days after joining, as part of a launch promotion.

East Arkansas Community College has announced that it will offer three new programs in renewable energy starting this fall. The programs include a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree, a one-year Technical Certificate, and a one-semester Certificate of Proficiency. The program is currently being funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Labor; this funding also helps provide scholarships to students in the program.

The University of North Carolina, Greensboro; North Carolina A&T State University; Guilford College; Bennett College; and the Elon University School of Law have partnered to continue the Higher Education Area Transit service (HEAT) in Greensboro, North Carolina. The service, which would have been discontinued due to budget constraints, provides fare-free alternative transportation to seven area colleges. Government grants that funded the program expired this summer and the institutions were left with the decision of whether to continue the program. Its popularity with students, faculty, and staff led five of the area colleges to continue funding HEAT.

Harvard University (MA) has received LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) Gold certification for Zhuang Lab, making it the 20th building on campus to receive a LEED rating. Green features of the Lab include daylight sensors and occupancy sensors; construction materials with re-used and locally manufactured content; and low VOC-emitting materials. In addition, fume hood face velocities are set at low but safe levels to conserve energy; hood exhaust rates are displayed in real time, reminding occupants to keep hoods closed when not in use; and temperatures in offices are set back and lights are turned off whenever they are unoccupied.

Kalamazoo College (MI) has received a $200,000 planning grant from the Arcus Foundation to prepare for the establishment of a social justice leadership center at the College. The center will help integrate social justice and service learning into the curriculum.

Luther College (IA) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to lease 130 acres into the Emergency Watershed Protection Program–Floodplain Easements. By entering the EWP-FPE program, Luther has agreed to permanently lease the 130 acres to the NRCS, promising to restore the native habitat of the bottomland and never develop or utilize the ground for cropland. Restoration of EWP-FPE sites includes seeding native plants, plugging drainage ditches, breaking and blocking tile lines, breaking diversions, and breaching existing flood control levees. Shallow water excavation work will also be done to enhance surface water environments and improve habitats for wetland-dependent wildlife species.

Macon State College (GA) has begun demolishing three buildings to make room for its new School of Education. The brick and concrete from the demolished structures will be used in the construction of the new building and the metals will be recycled as scrap. Macon State estimates that the project will recycle approximately 85 to 90 percent of the materials from the old buildings.

Mercyhurst College (PA) and St. Cloud State University (MN) have opened farmers' markets on campus. The Mercyhurst market will offer fresh produce from both local farmers and Mercyhurst's garden, where students, faculty, and staff have been raising vegetables throughout the summer with chemical-free fertilizers. St. Cloud State has established a weekly farmers market aimed at bringing local, organic produce to students, faculty, and staff on campus. The new market, which is an effort to create a more sustainable campus community, will offer vegetables, fruit, preserves, flowers, candles, spiced pears, cinnamon apples, and organic meats, including duck, lamb, chicken, and pork.

Miami University (OH) has unveiled a $50,000 revolving loan fund for cost saving, feasible, environmentally impactful, and well-researched projects. Money saved as a result of the projects will be filtered back into the fund and will be made available for new projects. The first round of proposals, open to staff, faculty, and students, are due in November.

Michigan State University has opened a green dairy facility at its Biological Station. The structure, which is registered for LEED certification, uses an automatic sidewall curtain system that raises or lowers to regulate temperature, and the design maximizes sunlight to reduce the need for electric lighting. The dairy also plans to develop programs that show how ecological, social, and economic principles can be evaluated on a smaller scale than those associated with larger, more conventional dairy farms.

Montserrat College of Art (MA) has opened its new dormitory, the Helena J. Sturnick Village, which will house 86 students and utilizes bricks from a previous structure on the site for landscaping. Other green features include a section of roof that will be planted as a garden and motion activated lights.

Newsweek has published an article on the increasing number of higher education institutions that are developing and adding to sustainability themed academic programs. The article cites that there were 27 sustainability themed programs, degrees or certificates in 2007 compared to three in 2005. The programs vary from business to agriculture, all with sustainability as a core focus. Higher education institutions mentioned include College of the Atlantic (ME), Green Mountain College (VT), Barnard College (NY), University of Virginia, Montana State University, Aquinas College (MI), Oregon Institute of Technology, and Arizona State University.

The New York Institute of Technology, with the help of federal grant money, has opened the first of two solar car ports on its campus. Part of NYIT's "One Spot, One Car, One Commute" solar plug-in hybrid electric vehicle project, the freestanding, four-car carport prototype has solar panels integrated into its structure. The carport shades parked vehicles while collecting energy from the sun and converting it into power to charge plug-in hybrid vehicles. School officials expect that the energy produced from one car spot will be enough to power a solar plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the average New York metro commute.

Nicholls State University (LA) and IBM are working together to help prepare students for new jobs in the information systems sector. IBM is helping the University to develop academic programs in electronic medical records, intelligent transportation, and smart energy grids.

North Central College (IL) has opened a combined dormitory and recreation center that is registered for LEED Silver certification. The 201,439-square-foot, 265-bed Res/Rec Center, which contains a 200-meter indoor track, features a covered bike storage unit, a white reflective roof, recycled building materials, and a geothermal system that eliminates the need for natural gas service and will reduce the building’s energy consumption by nearly 20 percent.

Oberlin College (OH), in partnership with the City of Oberlin, has launched 4,000 More Bikes, a campaign that aims to reduce car use, increase bike use, and build community. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community can join the campaign by signing a pledge to spend more time on a bike and less time in a car. Members receive membership cards, bicycle stickers, discounts at bike shops, and raffles for helmets, locks, and other bicycle equipment.

Point Park University (PA) has launched a new Master of Science program in environmental studies. The 30-credit interdisciplinary program is intended to provide students with an understanding of the nature of environmental problems and their solutions. The goal of the program, which incorporates scientific, economic, political, legal and ethical points of view, is to train professionals who will be involved in seeking solutions to environmental problems.

Saint Joseph's College (ME) has established a small farm adjacent to the school that will be used to grow organic produce to supplement the school’s cafeteria and food pantry. The 35,000-square-foot, environmentally friendly farm, which is strongly supported by the school’s food vendors, is being tended by six student apprentices who are learning how to effectively rotate crops between lands in order to avoid the need for chemicals.

The State University of New York at Geneseo has announced that its annual Welcome Picnic was a zero-waste event this year. Campus Auxiliary Services used compostable cups, plates, silverware, and napkins, and the food-service gloves and garbage bags were biodegradable. After the event, paper and food waste was collected and delivered to the compost pile on campus.

Temple University (PA) has launched a new initiative that aims to build a bike culture on campus that will link students, faculty, and staff to bike-related information and resources. A campus survey conducted last spring found that many campus members are interested in commuting by bike to and from campus, but are hesitant because they do not know where to purchase a bike or where to have it serviced. Respondents also indicated a need to learn bicycling skills that would give them a comfort level riding on busy city streets. In an effort to address these concerns, Bike Temple partnered with local stores to offer bicycles at a discounted rate and to provide a nearby repair facility.

Two academic buildings at Williams College (MA) have received LEED Gold certification. Schapiro Hall and the North Academic Building, both of which opened last year, feature green roofs, water-efficient landscaping, native plants, low-flow plumbing fixtures, waterless urinals, and low VOC materials. In addition, more than 90 percent of the structure has access to outdoor views and daylighting and 23 percent of building materials were obtained locally.

The University of Colorado at Boulder has installed multiple photovoltaic arrays that will create a total of 10 kW of energy at its Mountain Research Station. The new installation will provide 15 percent of the Station's total electricity load. The $60,000 project received a grant from Sustainable CU, a student led and funded sustainability grant program approved by student referendum and managed by the CU Environmental Center.

The University of Maryland, Eastern Shore has announced plans to install a 20 acre solar farm that will produce 2.1 MW of energy. The University is partnering with SunEdison, a solar energy services provider that will finance, build, operate and maintain the system. University officials look at this job as both a way to offer an alternative energy and lower costs. Under the solar power service agreement, the solar plant will require no upfront capital investment by the University. Construction is scheduled to begin in early September with anticipated completion by the end of 2009.

The Native American Research Lab at the University of Montana has received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant funds research aimed at making the production of ethanol more efficient, easier to make, and cheaper to buy. The lab has both Native students and non-Native students working on this project.

Students at the University of Waterloo (ON) have won the 2009 Hydrogen Education Foundation’s Hydrogen Student Design Contest. The students' submission utilizes hydrogen power as a way to provide on-demand energy when the primary electricity generated from solar and wind power is unable to meet demand. Two different teams from Wayne State University (MI) received honorable mentions. Teams from around the world competed in the competition.

The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee has undertaken a project that will divert approximately 84 percent of rainfall from minor storms away from the sewer system. Rainwater collected from a few campus rooftops and a parking lot will be directed into a new system of streams that are lined with native flowers, grasses, and sedges. The plants will filter and absorb a large portion of the water.

Virginia Tech and RIDE Solutions have established a partnership that will expand transportation benefits for students, faculty, and staff. The partnership will help expand carpooling options for the 27,000 VT commuters by creating a database of available carpooling options. The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, reduce parking demand, and help people save money.

Whitman College (WA) has installed a 21kW photovoltaic array on the roof of the Bratton Tennis Center. Whitman expects the new installation to replace approximately 20 percent of the building's annual energy use. Whitman’s environmental studies program will utilize the project in educational programming for students and community members, and a solar monitoring station will be established on the first floor of the Hall of Science, adjacent to a pre-existing weather, seismic and stream-monitoring station. A website will allow anyone to monitor the system’s output.

16 new institutions have signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment since the last update in the May 11, 2009 issue of the AASHE Bulletin . In doing so, these campuses have committed to develop comprehensive plans for achieving climate neutrality. The new signatories are: Mark Keenum of Mississippi State University; John Dunn of Western Michigan University; Claibourne Smith of Delaware State University; Dr. Stewart Edelstein of The Universities at Shady Grove; Earl H. Potter of St. Cloud State University; Dario Cortes of Berkeley College (NY); Stephen Kinslow of Austin Community College District (TX); Earl Richardson of Morgan State University (MD); Thomas Ramage of Parkland College (IL); Dianne Boardley Suber of Saint Augustine’s College (NC); Ted Landsmark of Boston Architectural College (MA); Carol Lucey of Western Nevada Community College; Dr. Robert Dunker of Western Iowa Tech Community College; Steve Cooper of Tech University of America; Edna Baehre of Harrisburg Area Community College (PA), and M. Sue Collins of Hibbing Community College (MN). 650 college and university presidents and chancellors have now signed the Commitment.

Appalachian State University (NC) has completed its annual BIG Sale, a yard sale that sells items donated during move-out to the community and to students. Profits from the event, which totaled over $13,500, were donated to local nonprofits for energy efficiency. The program prevented approximately 52.5 tons of couches, rugs, lamps, shower caddies, and other dorm room items from entering the landfill.

Baylor University (TX) and Indiana University have expanded their recycling efforts for the 2009 move-in. At Baylor, 40 student volunteers from the Entrepreneurship Engaged Learning Group helped to educate and assist parents and incoming students with recycling disposal. Students in residence halls also received an in-room mixed-use recycling box to recycle materials throughout the year. In addition, prior to move-in, students received tips and other information on how to make the move-in process more environmentally friendly. In all, Baylor collected 10.6 tons of recycling during move-in. IU placed giant dumpsters outside residence halls with signs promoting cardboard recycling. The University hoped to surpass the 12 tons of cardboard that was recycled last year. IU also placed compost bins near some dormitories on campus (the compost was used to help the Bloomington City Garden Project) and distributed hand-outs at orientation explaining what can be composted and recycled and the benefits of carrying a reusable water bottle.

Bismarck State College (ND) has installed a 2.4 kW wind turbine on campus. The project will provide power to a maintenance building on campus. The turbine provides access for students enrolled at BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence to learn about wind as a renewable source of electricity generation. The renewable component will be integrated into existing energy program curriculum.

Carleton College (MN) and WeCar, a car-sharing program by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, have announced plans to offer a car-sharing program. Carleton students, faculty and staff are eligible for membership and can rent the cars hourly, overnight, or for a full day. WeCar members will have access to two hybrid vehicles on campus.

Carleton College (MN) has opened Cassat Hall and Memorial Hall, two new dormitories on campus. The two buildings will house a total of 230 students and are registered for LEED Gold certification. The structures feature landscape designed with native vegetation, parking lots with porous paving, storage room with space for securing bicycles, high efficiency lighting, a solar thermal hot water system, and a radiant in-floor heating system. In addition, the main lounges have floors made from salvaged wood and 20 percent of building materials were manufactured within 500 miles of the construction site.

Case Western Reserve University (OH) has installed a water purification system at its Grab It Café to help reduce the need for bottled water on campus. The University estimates that switching to a purification system will eliminate 29,000 water bottles form the waste stream this year. The University has also distributed 1,200 reusable tote bags to incoming students to help reduce the need for plastic bags.

Delta College (MI) has installed an electric-ready parking space at its Planetarium. The new parking space, which allows users to charge their electric vehicles, is the result of a partnership between the Bay City and the College.

Eastfield College (TX) has unveiled its new, 4.4 kW solar array. The solar system is ground mounted and will be used as a teaching tool for the College. It is estimated that the array will save the college more than $100,000 in electricity costs over its 30-year lifetime.